Military Books

Great novel as all were from the Marcinko / Weisman team. Thouroughly enjoyed this book as well as all ithers written by Marcinko. It is definetly a must read for all Rogur Warrior fans...

Dick Marcinko is a rare individual, who is not only strong in his combat delivery, but smart and has quite the work ethic. are and thank God he is a standup warrior.

This particular book is a little too close to similar to reality today (to what he has known for a very long time) for comfort. I pray that God continues to use him and others like him in the protection of our Armed Forces and Americans in general. If I had a son, I would want him to serve and learn from the best, Dick Marcinko. (Although, I believe that the only way a person of Mr. Marcinko's magnitude, must have a strange personal life.)

This is great fun, and I find the story quite interesting. Not just in battle, but the complex background and history is interesting as well. Proving things are not always what they seem.

This was the third...and last Rogue Warrior book for me. After being blown away by the first one, I eagerly awaited Red Cell. After being somewhat disappointed by Red Cell, I still awaited the third book, "Green Team." I did find Green Team readable and Im a big fan of the SEALs. But it was nothing that great either. It certainly did not pack the drama of the first book. Its basically more of the original book...more bashing the regular Navy, more bashing non JSOC SEALs who couldnt make the cut of SEAL Team Six or Red Cell back in the eighties, more bashing of civilian politicians who Marcinko perceives as "weenies" or even as traitors. I dont disagree with Marcinko's assessments of these individuals, but after a while his moaning and complaining gets old. Thats why I decided to call it quits after Green Team.

If I want to listen to some bitter old man complain about the sorry state of the world, I will go listen to my dad or my grandpa complain. Marcinko comes across like a whiner in Green Team. I havent read a Marcinko book since.

Marcinko's original book is a mini-education and a great book. The rest of his books are redundant, moaning and groaning.

One thing that you can say about one of Marcinko's books is that they are not at all boring. He is able to call upon his SEAL training and experience to put together an interesting story.Some of his dealings in this book are close to what you read in the newspapers today. His knowledge of weapons and their use also add to his ability to spin an action packed story. His action team is also made up of some interesting characters. You would also have to commend his portrayal of villains. As can be said many times over the action in this book is nonstop. Buy this book and read it. It certainly is not boring.

This is easily the best Demo Dick has written. Right from page 1, it grabs you and never lets go. You're there for every shot, you're there when the idiots who think they know how to run a military op try their best(and sometimes succeed)to screw things up, and you'll get the urge yourself to beat the living shinola out of said idiots. You'll be dodging bullets as well as shrapnel alongside Demo Dick and his merry band of marauders, and returning fire along with them. Just read the book! It's well worth the money, and you'll want to reread it over and over.

Having served with a Battalion of Marines back in my Naval Service days, I was unable to put down Major Seth Folsom's book on the Highway War. My impression of the Marine Officers with whom I served, their dedication to duty and to their men, left a lasting impression on me. Major Folsom's story reaffirms that admiration. What is so noteworthy is the maturing of a combat Marine who emerged as a competent professional able to meet any challenge under extreme stress and pressure to complete the assigned mission. First to use LAV's in combat, his unit encountered many imponderables and maitenance problems while continuing to move forward in the face of unknown enemy resistence. He never once failed to give credit to his Marines who fought under his command and alongside him. Their desire to stay in touch and close to him after returning from Iraq is evidence of the high regard they have for him. No higher acolade can be give than to have your enlisted troops want to serve with you again as they said in the book. Major Folsom represents the finest we have in the future core of military leaders. We need more of his kind if we are to maintain the freedom we enjoy.

I have read the previous comments of others both pro and con. I have known Major Folsom's father for many years. Quite obviously, the acorn fell close to the tree. His father is one of the most outstanding officers with whom I have had the privilege to associate. From reading this book, I feel confident that Major Folsom has inherited all of his father's outstanding qualities.

Two matters were brought to light in reading this excellent documentation of his tour. First, I wish that I had the presence of mind to record a daily record of my tour as a squadron commander in RVN. Second, I commend Major Folsom for his honest evaluation of his accomplishments and his revelation of what he considered his failings.

There are many who can understand the stress of combat because they have been there. The ground troops, perhaps more than any, face the true cruelty of the close-in combat environment. POWs, more than anyone, experience a different type of stress. No one can truly express the stress unless he or she have been there. There are far too many who critique the events without having ever experienced being there. Folsom has.

Major Folsom's forthright analysis of his tour should be required reading for every newly commissioned officer of any branch. Folsom recently departed and is presently in-country on his second tour. I wish him and those men with him God-speed and shall look forward to a critique of this tour. May I add that I would be more than willing to serve with this officer anytime, any place as I have with his father.

Years ago Marine artist Col Charles Waterhouse drew a cartoon of a grizzled Marine Gunny, complete with cigar, pulling on a Santa outfit as he prepares to entertain young children, as compared to his normal demeanor of an intimidating Gunny. Maj Seth Folsom's book details a similar transformation, as he grows from a nervous young officer facing his first combat to that of a skilled and articulate officer and husband.

A Captain at the time, Folsom is a blunt and honest writer who discusses his fears and concerns of what he is about to encounter in Iraq. The likely-hood is that many Marines and soldiers, both officers and enlisted, can identify with his worry of how he will fare in his first combat: Can he hack it? How well will he perform? Will he make any mistakes that might cost the lives of his Marines? The difference between them and Folsom is his frankness in discussing these concerns.

Folsom uses the story of his role as company commander to tell the story of Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion as they participated in the March 2003 invasion of Iraq. From breaching the berms into Iraq, to watching and waiting as his fellow Marines fought at An-Nasiriyah, to the fighting on the way to Baghdad and beyond, Folsom pulls no punches and spares no feelings in his descriptions of leading 130 Marines into combat. The invasion in March 2003 was the beginning of an unusual war against a non-traditional enemy, and Folsom has to find his balance as an officer when dealing with both his superiors and the Marines under him while learning how to lead Marines in combat. Sand, stink, rain, lack of sanitation, fatigue, grime, and nerves are just some of issues with which he dealt even before he and his men even encountered the enemy. Folsom covers the military actions from 21 March 2003 through the April 2003 capture of Baghdad, and he accurately recounts the stress, excitement, and confusion of those historic days.

With the book written from the notes and recollection of his wartime journal, this is a fascinating memoir revealing are his feelings as he dealt with his Marines, and how he matured as an officer and as a human being. Many readers, especially his fellow officers will find much to critique in his rough and abrasive leadership style, and his dislike of the media is at odds with Marine Corps policy. But it is Folsom's same bluntness that lets him write so revealingly - and perhaps these same readers can use his vignettes as an `after-action report' in order to guide themselves in similar circumstances.

In perhaps a reflection of the asymmetrical nature of this war, Folsom recounts participating in briefings with the generals and colonels leading the invasion, and later singing with his men as they blast rock & roll music at rock concert levels. Perhaps one unexpected bonus of war in the wired age is that we readers can share in our warrior's thoughts and experiences while they are still fresh, and as such, Maj Folsom's book is both an exciting read and highly recommended.

I couldn't wait to read this book and when I finally got my copy, it wasn't all I thought it would be. Basically you follow the life of a young marine LAV Company Commander during OIF. He comes across many times as a whiner and someone I wouldn't want to work for. I felt sorry for his Marines many times when they had to deal with him and his emotional outbursts. I really saw nothing different from this book than any of the other books like this based on OIF. I could have passed on it.

You may hate this war and our current President for getting us involved in it, but after reading this book you can only respect and honor those doing the fighting .Folsom's thoughtful leadership and concern for his men, his belief in the Marine Corps and The Mission turned my head around.
The more liberal you are , the more you need to read this book.

I recently read Household Baggage - The Moving Life of a Solider's Wife by Marna A. Krajeski and I must say that I really loved it!

The book is a collection of short stories about her different experiances in the Army. I really related to this author- she is brutally honest and wrote about feelings that I myself have had, but were afraid to share. She made me realized that I am a normal Army wife with normal feelings, even if I don't have the smile slapped on my face every second of every day.

The book is divided into sections such as "Military" and "Moving" with short stories relating to each. The book is very well orgainized and every little story had a point. Her writing is very clever and I laughed through the whole thing! :) But don't think there isn't a serious side to the book. The story "It takes a long time to grow an old friend" was especially touching and I really related to this one. It was among my favorites in the book as I can really relate to the difficulty finding true friends as an Army wife moving around so much.

I really reccomend this book to all Army wives. It was a nice escape from books on 'more serious' subject matter, I guess I could say. It was lighthearted and a fast read. It even came complete with a Military Word glossary for all you newbies out there! :) I also like that this was "Army specific" and not just "Military generalized" as I have been finding these kinds of books hard to come by.

Marna Krajeski is living my life! Or maybe I'm living hers. No matter -- she got it right.

This is a book that now stays permanently on my nightstand. I've probably read it completely three or four times, but I only read it straight through the first time. Now I just pick it up and read a chapter or two or three or four, selected at random, and skipping about through the book. It's perfect for that and I never tire of it. This one is light and easy and funny and fun; I recommend it.

Krajeski has distilled the essence of life as a military wife into a tasty brew of moving and witty essays. It is just such stories that every woman "married to the military" craves to hear. Not only do the narratives reassure us that we're not alone in our feelings, they also point the way to survival. Those with no experience of the military will enjoy a great read and gain a new understanding of why and how so many serve our nation.

I laughed, I cried and I read the entire book straight through!

As I began to read the Song of a Military Wife, the tears and bursts of laughter began and didn't stop. With 13 years of the Army style under my belt, I could easily identify with nearly every page. As I continued to read, I struggled to put the book down to take much needed bathroom breaks and tend to my 2 and 4 year old children. I think I emptied a new box of tissue and I have vowed to send all of my "Forever Friends" copies of this book.

Kudos to my husband for sending me this book at just the right time. He's been away for almost 6 months, and I'm sure he sensed that the rope I've been hanging onto was beginning to fray. The author's sense of humor is incredible. She shared so much of her personal life throughout the book, which reminded me that we, Army Wives, are all in this together. We all make countless sacrifices in support of our soldier and the best coping mechanism for the trials we encounter is usually laughter!

Reading this book is like reading your own journal entries about your military life (well, at least those entries you would have made if you'd ever had the time). You'll laugh out loud at some, tear up at others, and simply find yourself nodding and saying, "I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who feels that way" as you read these honest vignettes of military life. From an essay on that hardest aspect of moving (finding a good hairdresser!) to one on the joys (and necessity) of consignment/yard sale shopping (especially for military ball gowns) to another on all-day military medical appointment experiences, Marna's captured our world. Her essay on both her husband and herself getting ready for a military ball is priceless...would love to see that exact thing in a future "Army Wives" tv show episode...complete with the military members scrambling to find all the uniform accouterments to the "raisin on her butt" image.
At the same time that Marna highlights many of the joys of military life, she doesn't sugarcoat the challenges. She's upfront and open about the things we all complain about. If you are a military spouse...you'll love this book. If you aren't connected to the military, this will give you some insights into how we live. Kathie Hightower, coauthor of Help! I'm a Military Spouse -- I Get a Life Too!

This has to be one of the most fascinating ,interesting ,and probably the most factual treatment of the trial and execution of the assassins of President Lincoln.
There are several reasons that this book is so outstanding.It's large size,9 1/2 X 12 inches is required to do the photographs justice.The paper, quality,printing ,color reproduction and overall construction are supurb.The two authors are outstanding in their knowledge and long time interest in the subject.It has a selected bibliography that must be as good as one will find on the subject.The organization of the book makes it a clear ,concise and easily absorbed chronology of events that was probably even more captivating in its day than the period after the Assassination of President Kennedy.
The book also shows, as a besides, the difference in the art of photography in 1865 compared to what we have come to take for granted today or in the time of Kennedy's assassination. The fact that newspapers did not even have the ability to print a photograph. Photographs were not even available until several days after taken,and forget about color photography then. Come the advances in 100 years and we watched events live and in our living rooms with the assassination of JFK.
Compare this advancement in recording and speedy dissipating of information with the regression of and the drawn out, convoluting that takes place in the legal and justice that has become the norm today. Absolutely amazing in both cases.A few weeks and negligable expense in the case of Lincoln and years and untold millions with Kennedy.There has been great advances in the information processes and just the opposite in the legal and justice process.
Getting back to how the assassination is covered in this book. The authors have been able to make the reader feel that they were living at the time the event took place and convey what it might have felt to witness those great events taking place.There have been many books on the subject,and it was complicated;but the authors have boiled it down to the essentials.The hundreds of photographs,illustrations,reproductions and illustrations are a real treasure trove that have been collected and assembled in a way that obviously must have talen taken lot of time ,knowledge and contacts.
If you want a book that details the capture,trial and execution of President Lincoln,in a clear,concise way;look no further --this is the book you are looking for.

James Swanson has done a super job at presenting Lincoln's assassins thru the the use of pictures of the individuals as well as documents of the time. An excellent source for teachers dealing with the capture, trial, and execution of those associated with Lincoln's assassination.

I saw James Swanson giving a speech about his other book "Manhunt" and found him fascinating to listen to. he knew facts that I had never heard before and could describe them with such detail I felt like I was watching it happen. I read "Manhunt" and was thrilled to have the details of those twelve days come to life. When I saw this book I snatched it up as quickly as I could. It is the perfect book for both the avid reader and for those who like to look at artifacts and photographs of the era. This is by far my new favorite Civil War book (and I have many). James and Daniel did an excellent job of laying out the story then showing artifacts and pictures from the event. I've looked at this book for hours and am only through the second chapter! Not that it's hard to get through, just fun to look at and read.

This text dovetails nicely with Swanson's recent effort "Manhunt", but more from an artifact perspective than a written one. Many of the pictures are one-of-a-kind, especially Alexander Gardner's entire collection from the courtyard at the D.C. prison where the conspirators were hung. Again, this is not a complete text (nor does it aspire to be), but a great addition to any historical collection regarding the Lincoln assasination.

This is more of a picture book than a text-laden history book, but it's the appeal of the many photos, pictures, illustrations, and even cartoons that make this book a fascinating one to read. The book includes photos of all the conspirators, in life as well as death, along with other interesting details such as a letter Booth wrote as a teenager. Today few remember that John Wilkes Booth was the teenage heart-throb of his day, making it all the more shocking when he was involved in the assassination.

The details of the trial sound like something from some fantastic kangaroo court, not the U.S. For example, the defense had no time to marshall their case, interview or call witnesses, or even to meet much with their clients. The jury was composed of generals and military men, not civilians, and their decision would be final, with no right of appeal.There were indeed judges in the courtroom, but they were watching from the audience.

The public and the press constantly talked about their favorite conspirators, of which the young, handsome and dashing looking Lewis Powell was the favorite, who attempted to kill secretary of state William Seward with a Bowie knife on the night of the assassination, rather than the president, but was foiled. Even the decision of who to prosecute left many questions unanswered, as several suspects with far more incriminating evidence weren't even brought to trial, whereas others with less evidence were tried and executed. The authors suggest that this might have had more to do with who actually plotted the murder vs. who was involved with post-assassination attempts to shelter Booth.

However, it's the stunning visual presentation here rather than the now well known history that is the star here. This book will be enjoyed by any history or Americana buffs or anyone interested in a well done presentation of a unique event in our history.

Great book if you enjoy naval history. Unique in that it details the strategies, fears, tactics and human factor of MODERN naval warfare in the age of missiles and advanced capability sensors. Past, current or future Navy surface warfare officers will love it.

Woodward had done a masterful job, with his writing assistant, of describing the issues of command, the concern about sending others into combat where they may lose their life, the need to keep in mind what is central about a mission, and so many other thoughts about what leadership means. This book is a study of BOTH (1) management of a large task (be it war, be it a large company or nonprofit, be it of government) when dealing with an adversary compelled to fight you (be it the other side in a war, be it a company fighting you for market share, be it a Democrat or Republican that believes as you do not), and (2) of management of a military war where weapons are wielded by you and weapons are wielded or threatened against you. The real-life drama of uncertainty of events, of certainty of purpose, and of just what went on in this saga is of interest to very many readers. I have British friends, I have Argentian friends, and no matter which side you believe is right (both have their points) this is a good book about a mission one is given and how one needs to carry it out, and the thoughts and second-thoughts that must go through any leader's mind.

Read this as a book about leadership, and you will do fine. Read this as a book about war, and you will also do fine. Read this as a book about both, and you'll get even more out of it.

The book was received in excellent condition. The story is well written and very interesting. Would recommend it highly.

As Wellington famously said of the Hundred Days Campaign culminating in the Battle of Waterloo, the Falklands Campaign was a also damn near run thing, according to the Battle Group Commander, Adm Sandy Woodward, in this excellent book. Writing in what can best be called a distinctly British style, Woodward takes the reader into the bridge of the Hermes, his command ship for the Falklands expedition. What we get is a brutally honest, technically detailed, and gripping narrative not only into how the British pulled off a decisive victory, but also the self-doubts and mentally taxing minutia of a Commander sending troops and sailors into harm's way. This book is especially valuable for its detailed description of how navies fight. This is no small task. For example, the reader learns how:

1. submarines track ships and the risks they run to track them and shoot them. The example of the sinking of the General Belgrano is first rate
2. how a routine matter such as cross-decking troops between ships bedevils commanders and can end in tragedy
3. ship's tactics for defending themselves against aircraft (this is particularly helpful. In the US military, we have become so accustomed to air and sea superiority that those who operate on the ground take it for granted. It's not! It must be gained and earned - if need be, the hard way.)
4. The inevitable tension that will arise between sea, air, and land commanders during the prosecution of an amphibious campaign. We get Woodward's side here, but he is brutally honest on when he was right and when he was wrong.
5. The role of destroyers, frigates, aircraft carriers, amphibs, and supply ships, and the risks they ran -- and still do -- to do their jobs.

This is one of the only books I know of that actually explains how modern navies fight, and it is thus indispensable to navy officers and to those who seek to learn more on control of the seas.

This is an absolutely first-rate memoir by the man who led the British fleet to victory in the Falkland Islands War. Only 50 years-old when he was chosen to lead the battle group to recapture the islands in 1982 (hard to believe this gentleman is now 73!), Admiral Sir John F. "Sandy" Woodward was courageous and competent commander. That being the case, he is also refreshingly honest and humble as he tells his remarkable story.

As the Admiral mentions in the epilogue, many will always regard the Falklands as having been "a pushover war - the mighty Brits crushing the ridiculous Args" (349). But as this book makes clear, it was anything but a cakewalk. The Argentinian sailors and pilots were brave and worthy oponents. The British fleet took heavy casualties: 6 ships sunk (2 destroyers, 2 frigates, 1 amphibious warfare vessel and the transport vessel Atlantic Conveyor with its precious cargo of 10 Wessex and 4 Chinook helicopters). Another 10 ships were badly damaged. Many of these were not sunk only because the Argentinian bombs reguarly failed to detonate. The British, of course, won decisively though, thanks to the professionalism and courage of the British forces. But it was an intense and bloody six weeks.

The campaign was also a turning point in the history of naval warfare. Although anti-ship missiles were first used to sink Syrian missile boats by the Israelis back in 1973, the destruction of HMS Sheffield by the French Exocet missiles fired from Super-Etendard fighter-bombers grabbed the attention of the world's militaries. Newsweek's subsequent cover-story on the incident read "Falklands Fallout: Are Big Ships Doomed?" Many wondered if large warships had been rendered obsolete by the effectiveness of anti-ship missiles. Indeed, the two British aircraft carriers in the South Atlantic were very vulnerable. If even one of them had been put out of commission by an Exocet, it is unlikely the Falklands could have been recaptured. It is very interesting to read about how the British struggled with some of their new high-tech weaponry such as the Sea Dart. It took some failed attempts in battle before the bugs got worked out and they got comfortable with the new system.

Admiral Woodward is an excellent writer. His descriptions of the battles are riveting, especially the moments of calamity such as when HMS Sheffield was crippled by Exocets. You really get a sense of the fear, anxiety and adrenaline. It's as exciting as any Tom Clancy novel without a doubt.

This is an awesome book. I laughed and cried. It's heartbreaking and uplifting. I highly reccommend this for all US citizens - whether you are associated with the military or not. It gives an understanding of what the military members and their families deal with, and who they are.

This book really gives you a taste for how it is in Iraq...I think everyone should read it...especially Pres. Bush.

This book was very moving. I laughed and I cried. There were sad stories and poignant stories and many positive stories. I recommend this book to anyone wanting a real look at how the military and their families feel about going through these deployments. I also recomment it for families going through the deployments now. I have learned a lot about what my son may be going through and may not be willing to share with us right now.

I am a military wife. My young daughter and I survived 12 months while my husband served in Iraq. This book was absolutely amazing. I cannot come up with the words to describe how much this book meant to me. I don't know about other spouses, but no matter how much my husband and I talk, it is not easy for him to communicate his thoughts or feelings on his service in Iraq. It was even difficult for him to describe his life over there when asked directly. I think a lot of it is him trying to protect me, but also, his brain does not work that way. He was there, he did what he had to do as a soldier, end of story. This book brought me insight into my husband. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me sick. It made me angry. It made me happy. It made me joyful. It made me all of these things at the same time. I am so thankful to the organization(whose name escapes me right now) that made this book possible. It is a book that touched my heart and soul. I will never be the same, and I am greatful for that. It is in know way a "light" read. I read it quickly, as I do everything, but because I was hungry to read more, to know more, to feel more. Do not read it without a box of tissues next to you.

I am a NCO in the army and have been to Iraq 4 times and this book sent chills through my bodie many times with the pure honest look at war. Most of the stories are reflections of events that any service member will identifie with. Then there are some events told in this book only a select few will truely grasp. This is a must read if you would like a insight into the mind of a Military member who has been deployed. I cant recomend this book more then just get it read it and prepair to get choked up. I know i did

This is a very detailed book about not only the shootdown of the RC-130 over Armenia but also other shootdowns of reconaissance aircraft since the end of WWII. I recommend this book to persons who are into the history of this subject, but it can get very dry at times. Overall a good read, but long.

THE PRICE OF VIGILANCE was very meaningful to me. It refreshed many memories I have of those day when I flew from Det.1,6911th RGM in Europe, Yokota, and Kadina AFB's in Japan, and Danang and Camron Bay , Vietnam. I am also glad that I can now better answer the question "What did you do in the Air force?". Thanks again to the authors for some proud memories.
Braxton Lockett

As one of those impressionable youngsters who heard JFK's inaugural speech and foolishly thought he meant it, I was naive enough to join the Air Force and volunteer to "pay any price, bear any burden" yadda, yadda. This led me to nearly two years in various NSA sponsored schools from language, crypto analysis, and other skills and many assignments around the globe as a member of various USAFSS squadrons including those detailed in this book. Reading this book brought back many memories of long hard days and lots of adrenaline filled hours making sure we had the best possible insight into what the Soviets and their fellow enemies of freedom were up to and capable of to keep them from being able to pull off Khrushchev's vow to "bury" Western Civilization.
Much of this book focuses on specific airborne missions, out of probably hundreds of thousands flown since the beginning of the cold war, up to and including the ongoing missions flown today. It also deals with other divisions of NSA, such as ASA (Army) and NSG (Navy) but not in as much detail as USAFSS (security service) missions. (All of which have been renamed over the years)
This book does not get into as much detail as Bamford does in his books about NSA, but it isn't politically driven, as much of his material has become over the years.
While I gave this book five stars, it really could have used a serious editor to excise at least 50 pages worth of redundancies, but the book rates a good review because it covers a lot of information that is little known by the general public, and does not reveal any secrets which could damage national security as is done by some newspapers every day.
Much of the technology has changed since the authors of this book left the military, but from a historical perspective, it shows that technology is only a part of the process, and in many respects, the technology has advanced at the expense of the analysis aspects of the communications intelligence (comint) and signal intelligence business. And as the agencies such as NSA and CIA have become populated by partisan bureaucrats with a political agenda, we are actually far too often not as well served today as we were decades earlier by the men who gave their lives in a more idealistic time.
This book honors the fact that these were all men who voluntarily put themselves in harm's way, and shows they were real people and not part of the some military machine that was "loathed" by a certain ex-president who dodged the draft and never wore a uniform of any branch of the service.

The Price of Vigilance is one of the most informative and historical books of the Cold War that I have had the pleasure to read. I have used this book for researching my own book, THESE GUYS, to come out in about 18 months. The unit 6901st in Zweibrucken (West Germany at the time of Cold War) is mentioned many times, which is difficult to find, if at all. The transcript of MIG Pilots shooting down our C-130 - tail # 60528 is hair raising. This is reality. This is military history at it's best. Writing is superb!Citations are as good as the book! Well done, Larry Tart and Bob Keefe. I salute you.

"The Price of Vigilance" would probably be a great PhD dissertation in military history. The reporting is very detailed, and the analysis seems to be objective. The last 50 pages of the book are appendices, reference notes, and an index. Included are many excerpts of letters, reports, and interviews. These excerpts give the book a human touch and help liven up the at-times monotonous recitation of facts and timelines.

The first chapter of the book was written after most of the manuscript was complete, as a review and partial analysis of the EP-3E incident on Hainan Island, China, in April 2001. The book went to press before the plane was returned to the U.S., but the authors comment on changing attitudes in the world of airborne surveillance as compared to the height of the Cold War.

If you're a SERIOUS student of surveillance activities in the the Cold War, you'll find this to be a worthy textbook. More casual readers will probably have trouble getting all the way through.

I'm a fan of these giant DK coffe table books. This was my first and is still my favorite. Tons of beautiful pictures of our planet. All sorts of exotic locales I didn't know existed. Especially nice to have if you're an artist of any kind looking for inspiration.

I saw a smaller version from a local bookstore, bought the large version from Amazon, the fonts are much more comfortable to read. I am using the book as a reference, feel very satisfied. The book is also good for random browsing, the paper and printing are both of very high quality.

THIS IS GREAT BOOK WITH A LOT OF INFO. MY TEENAGER LOVES IT AND SO DOES MY HUSBAND

This book was a Christmas request from my 6th grader who is very curious about earth sciences. He was genuinely excited to see it when he opened it. In some ways it is more like a coffee table picture book than a reference book. It is lavishly illustrated with detail-captioned photos and charts. This is not the kind of book you're going to sit down and read cover to cover, but instead are going to use like a good encyclopedia of earth science. My older child, who is interested in astronomy, received the companion book "Universe" and the two make a beautiful pair of additions to the reference library.

A great book with a nice balance of pictures (including some full page) and informative text about, well...about nature!

The book was good but the binding gave out almost right away. I have a nice collection but this book looks bad because the pages are all falling out.

The author of this book, Wolf Zoepf, was an officer (battalion adjutant actually) in the 6th SS Mountain Division. He has written what can only be characterized as a classic in military history about the role of the SS Nord division in Operation Nordwind. Nordwind was the last major German offensive in the West during WWII, starting a week or more after the much more celebrated Ardennes offensive. The goal of Nordwind was to punch through the Allied lines in the Alsace region and recover this mountainous terrain to anchor the German defense of the Fatherland. It was also hoped that a direct route through the Vosges mountains could be opened to permit German armored reserves to break out into the plains in France.

There are so many things to love about this book. First, it really is a tribute to the fine soldiers of the 6th SS Mountain Division and to the brave Americans (primarily from the 45th and 70th IDs) who opposed them. Zoepf pays a great tribute to the skill, courage, and determination of all the combatants. Second, this book contains one of the best, most detailed discussions (analyses really) of the tactical situation at virtually every stage of the fighting. I've read so many military histories in which attacks failed because of bad weather, poor logistics, etc., but the details are never explained. With great detail, Zoepf describes how (and why) tank support didn't show up, the effect of losing radios, lack of ammo, the complications of coordinating attacks. As you read this book you will, I believe, get a sense of how it must have been for individual company commanders and why some things succeeded and others failed. Third, this is an extremely well written book. It is detailed and compelling, but easy and enjoyable to read. You may well read the whole thing in one sitting.

The perspective of the book is divided pretty much 50/50 from the German/American perspective. The first 20-30% of the book is a history of SS Nord from its disastrous attack on Salla in 1942 until Nordwind. The 6th SS Mountain Division spent most of the war in Finland and the Soviet Union above the Arctic Circle battling the terrain and climate as much as the Red Army. When it arrived on the Western front in late 1944, it was probably one of the best units in the German Army. After the discussion of the history of SS Nord, the rest of the book is divided into one chapter per day (i.e. seven days!). This isn't so much a complete history of Operation Nordwind, but is primarily the story of the role of two battalions in this operation. Enough large scale description of the entire operation is given to put the role of the 1st and 3rd battalions of the 12th SS regiment's advance on Wingen-sur-Moder into perspective, but you'll have to look elsewhere for a complete story on Nordwind. Without giving too much away, two mountain battalions advance via a night march through the mountain in winter to an important cross roads (Wingen-sur-Moder) with orders to hold the town until relief arrives and German armored reserves can pass through the town on their way to the plain. Can they hold out until relief arrives, or will then be surrounded and destroyed by the Americans?

This is destined to be a classic in military history I believe. All of the other Amazon reviews are enthusiastically positive as well. This book would be a good companion to Johann Voss's memoir Black Edelweiss (I think you can buy them together). My only negative complaint about the book is that the ending is rather abrupt. A few more pages could have been added to tie everything together. According to the dust jacket, the author passed away only three weeks after the book was completed. Perhaps he intended to add a bit more? In any case, this is really a must have for anyone who reads/collects books about the ETO. Highly recommended.

This was an interesting book, but it is not much of a first hand account. The author obviously went through a lot, but he was at a very high command level and his participation in the battles were very limited and in all honesty not very entertaining. If you want an exciting book to read about Nord and what it was like to be a soldier, I highly recommend "Black Edelweiss." This book is a very detailed account that often goes over the logistics of the battle and the planning on both sides. A great resource for somebody doing research for something larger concerning the western front late in the war, but not a page turning thriller likely to keep you up all night.

This book is remarquable.
The author is an excellent writer. The book is well written and of great historical value for people interested in the battle of the low Vosges.
The book describes the battle of Wingen sur Moder from the point of view of a very young German officer leading a whole battalion.
In January 1945, Wingen was 2 miles behind a stabilized front line. It was the hardest Winter of the century in Alsace. The aim of the Germans was to seize a valley in order to send 2 tank divisions to take Strasbourg. The 6th SS mountain division which has been fighting the Russians for 4 years were sent to take Wingen. They slipped through the main front line and took half of Wingen.

The memoirs available on line of the veterans of the 70th infantry division describe the battle seen from the US side. Wolf Zoepf gives us a stunning description from the German side, from a battalion commander view.

Leaving a few miles from Wingen, I was truelly impressed by the precision of the description of the battlefield.

Although the emphasis that this book gives to the "technical" aspects of the operation "Nordwind" and the fine accuracy of the terminology may cause some readers to avoid it, it is a very interesting and thought provoking analysis of the battles that the famous 6th SS Mountain Division fought in Alsace. The first 56 pages are devoted to that division's operations in Finland where, in late 1944, it was forced to retreat under attrocious conditions. Transferred to the Western Front, it participated in the operation "Nordwind" fighting excellently against the US 70th and 45h Infantry Division and causing many days of alarm and consternation to its opponents. Unfortunately for the 6th SS Mountain Division, the success it achieved outflanking the US positions and capturing Wingin-sur-Moder, proved to be just another "lost victory" since the other German divisions didn't advance in the same depth. The author was a junior officer in the Division "Nord" and he wrote this book with the help of many German and US first hand accounts, presenting a complete picture of the battle, from both sides of the hill. The book contains dozens of excellent three dimension maps, some two dimension maps and a few black and white photos. There is also an appendix with the German and US equivalent ranks. The book is higly recommended to the serious students of military history, since it is not only a battle story but a very critical and professional analysis of the operational and tactical factors that led the battle to its outcome.

I read the book SOG, and as with any book relating true life war stories, you try to picture in your mind the people, surroundings and the enemy as they saw it. A Photo History, brought all of this to life for me. Excellent Book !!!

Back in 1997 I picked up a copy of SOG by Major Plaster and quickly became engrossed in the tales within the book that had never before seen the light of day. Later in 2004 came another book, SECRET COMMANDOS, again behind the lines material. But in between these two books came the real blockbuster: SOG--A Photo History of the Secret Wars.

I'm an ex-vietnam era serviceman, early Vietnam being out by 1967, and could not believe the wealth of intel within these three books, much of which was totally new to me. The later SOG book has over 700 photos giving a photo or more to almost every page. The value of this book is not something that can easily be put into words, and with most of these heroic men never coming back, the years have not taken the edge off that. If not for Major Plaster these men would have never gotten much recognition at all. That in itself is not right, but they one and all did their duty to their country and not for a handful of tin medals.

I have many history books on my shelves, some on Vietnam, but I can think of none that I would not part with other than John Plaster's books. These three books burn the secret wars and its warriors into your memory, and at times it defies belief the character of these men.

To read any of these books is to be proud of these men and yet humbled at the same time by their sacrifices. As Admiral Tarrant asks at ending of James A. Michener's THE BRIDGES AT TOKO-RI, "Where do we get such men?"

Semper Fi.

A fantastic book for anyone interested in MACV-SOG and Special forces recon teams. This is the biggest collection of photos I have seen regarding SOG and recon teams. The book is very well done.This is where the Vietnam war was really fought, across the fence.This is a major piece of history that was never really documented and the truth needs to be available to all who have misconceptions and untruths about the Vietnam conflict. These men in special forces are legends. A tribute to those who served on recon teams and most of all those who did not make it back.

This is an incredible book, perfect companion to the other John Plaster books:
"SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam" & "Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG".
The pictures have great historical value.

This book tells the story of secret ("black") military operations run by the United States during the Vietnam War. Under the name Studies and Observations Group (SOG), the secret was kept so well that few veterans ever heard of it until long after the war.

It was composed purely of volunteers from the best of the American military, including Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs. Their missions involved going behind enemy lines in Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam, areas officially off limits to US ground troops. That's why all of their missions were classified.

The North Vietnamese went to great lengths to keep the Ho Chi Minh Trail open at all times. Special military units, stationed from one end to the other, had the task of maintaining and defending a 20-30 mile stretch. If the US bombed a particular area one day, it would be fixed and open the very next day as if nothing happened.

The task of a SOG team could be practically anything, from prisoner snatching, to confirming something seen in aerial reconaissance to placing sensors on a road to give Intelligence an idea as to the traffic level. Every mission was meticulously planned and rehearsed. From the moment they were on the ground behind enemy lines, the team members could assume that the enemy was seconds, or minutes, away. A number of teams made it out safely (the only escape route was by air), but they had to shoot their way out. Some teams were never heard from again.

Since their missions were secret, nothing the soldiers wore or carried could be traced to America. There were no dogtags, no obviously American uniforms, and, in many cases, their weapons were foreign modified weapons.

This book also profiles the people who risked their lives day after day. To most people, they wer just American soldiers who served in Vietnam, but, to those who were there, the following names are practically legend: Larry Thorne, Billy Waugh, Walter Shumate, Jerry "Mad Dog" Shriver and Dick Meadows.

When SOG was disbanded in 1972, all the photo files were ordered destroyed. The interesting thing about this book is that the several hundred photos here are not the "official" photos. The photos were taken by the men who were there and kept in trunks and shoeboxes for many years. The author also knows something about SOG, having been a three-tour veteran.

For military historians and those interested in special operations, this book is a requirement. For the rest of us, this is a fascinating look at an unknown part of the Vietnam War. It is highly recommended.